US20130334117A1 - System and method of cooling a pump head used in chromatography - Google Patents
System and method of cooling a pump head used in chromatography Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20130334117A1 US20130334117A1 US14/002,035 US201214002035A US2013334117A1 US 20130334117 A1 US20130334117 A1 US 20130334117A1 US 201214002035 A US201214002035 A US 201214002035A US 2013334117 A1 US2013334117 A1 US 2013334117A1
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- Prior art keywords
- actuator
- pump head
- support plate
- flow
- chiller
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- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 84
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 19
- 238000004587 chromatography analysis Methods 0.000 title claims description 8
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 41
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 20
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 33
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 claims description 15
- 238000004808 supercritical fluid chromatography Methods 0.000 claims description 13
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000005465 channeling Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 claims 2
- 238000009413 insulation Methods 0.000 claims 1
- CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon dioxide Chemical compound O=C=O CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 40
- 229910002092 carbon dioxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 20
- 239000001569 carbon dioxide Substances 0.000 description 20
- 239000002904 solvent Substances 0.000 description 8
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 7
- 239000006184 cosolvent Substances 0.000 description 5
- OKKJLVBELUTLKV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Methanol Chemical compound OC OKKJLVBELUTLKV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000012212 insulator Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000004593 Epoxy Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000009286 beneficial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009529 body temperature measurement Methods 0.000 description 1
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007599 discharging Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004519 grease Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004128 high performance liquid chromatography Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004811 liquid chromatography Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910000679 solder Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004704 ultra performance liquid chromatography Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000003643 water by type Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D15/00—Separating processes involving the treatment of liquids with solid sorbents; Apparatus therefor
- B01D15/08—Selective adsorption, e.g. chromatography
- B01D15/26—Selective adsorption, e.g. chromatography characterised by the separation mechanism
- B01D15/40—Selective adsorption, e.g. chromatography characterised by the separation mechanism using supercritical fluid as mobile phase or eluent
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04B—POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS
- F04B53/00—Component parts, details or accessories not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F04B1/00 - F04B23/00 or F04B39/00 - F04B47/00
- F04B53/08—Cooling; Heating; Preventing freezing
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04B—POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS
- F04B53/00—Component parts, details or accessories not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F04B1/00 - F04B23/00 or F04B39/00 - F04B47/00
- F04B53/16—Casings; Cylinders; Cylinder liners or heads; Fluid connections
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
- F28D1/00—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, in which the other heat-exchange medium is a large body of fluid, e.g. domestic or motor car radiators
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N30/00—Investigating or analysing materials by separation into components using adsorption, absorption or similar phenomena or using ion-exchange, e.g. chromatography or field flow fractionation
- G01N30/02—Column chromatography
- G01N30/26—Conditioning of the fluid carrier; Flow patterns
- G01N30/28—Control of physical parameters of the fluid carrier
- G01N30/32—Control of physical parameters of the fluid carrier of pressure or speed
Definitions
- the invention relates generally to actuators. More specifically, the invention relates to systems and methods for cooling a pump head of an actuator.
- Supercritical fluid chromatography uses highly compressible mobile phases, which typically employ carbon dioxide (CO2) as a principle component. To ensure that the component remains liquid, the pump is chilled to a temperature below its critical temperature.
- CO2 carbon dioxide
- the invention features an actuator with a support plate and a pump head secured to one side of the support plate.
- the pump head is in thermal contact with the support plate.
- An actuator body is secured to an opposite side of the support plate.
- Means for cooling is disposed between and in thermal communication with the support plate and the actuator body. The cooling means is configured to remove and transfer heat from the pump head to the actuator body.
- the invention features an actuator having a thermally conductive member with an exterior surface, a pump head having a chamber for channeling pressurized fluid, and means for cooling the pump head.
- the cooling means is in thermal communication with the pump head internally.
- the cooling means is configured to remove and transfer heat from the pump head to the thermally conductive member with the exterior surface.
- the invention features a method for cooling a pump head of an actuator.
- the method comprises establishing thermally conductive contact between the pump head and a thermally conductive support plate, establishing thermally conductive contact between cooling means and the support plate, establishing thermally conductive contact between the cooling means and an actuator body, and electrically controlling the cooling means to remove and transfer heat from the pump head to the actuator body.
- the invention features a method for cooling a pump head of an actuator.
- the method comprises establishing thermal communication between the pump head and cooling means internally within the actuator, establishing thermal communication between the cooling means and a thermally conductive member of the actuator having an exterior surface, and electrically controlling the cooling means to remove and transfer heat from the pump head to the thermally conductive member with the exterior surface.
- FIG. 1 is a cross-section diagrammatic view of an embodiment of an actuator that can configured with an internal cooling module for cooling a pump head.
- FIG. 2 is a closer view of the actuator.
- FIG. 3 is a cross-section of the actuator configured with one embodiment of an internal cooling module.
- FIG. 4 shows photographs of an actuator configured with an internal cooling module.
- FIG. 5 is a graph of test results produced by the internal cooling module.
- FIG. 6 is a cross-section of the actuator configured with one embodiment of a pre-chiller unit.
- FIG. 7 is a supercritical fluid chromatography system that utilizes an actuator as illustrated in FIG. 6 .
- Cooling modules for independently controlling the temperature of a pump head are installed internally within an actuator.
- such cooling modules remove heat from the pump head and transfers the heat to a member, feature, or component of the actuator with an exterior surface, preferably to the thermally conductive actuator body itself
- the cooling module is comprised of a thermoelectric device sandwiched between two thermally conductive plates. One of the plates is in thermal communication with the pump head (e.g., through a support plate), the other of the plates is in thermal communication with the actuator feature.
- the cooling module can be invisible to the user; that is, for some embodiments, there are no new components in the customer-accessible areas of the actuator, the cooling module being disposed behind the support plate. From a maintenance point of view, no new procedures are needed to change pump head seals, as installation of a cooling module within the actuator requires no changes to the pump head components. Among these advantages, the solid state components used to produce the cooling module require no maintenance.
- the cooling module also improves the thermal stability of the pump head, improves control of density regardless of ambient temperature, and can achieve an accurate mass flow provided the pressure of the fluid is known.
- FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show an embodiment of an actuator 10 having a pump head 12 and an actuator body 14 .
- FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the actuator 10 in the vicinity of the pump head 12 .
- the pump head 12 is secured at one end to a pressure transducer 16 and at its other end to one side of a support plate 18 .
- Secured to the other side of the support plate 18 is the actuator body 14 .
- the actuator 10 is a part of a binary solvent manager (BSM), which uses two individual serial flow pumps to draw solvents from their reservoirs and deliver a solvent composition.
- BSM binary solvent manager
- An example implementation of a BSM is the ACQUITY Binary Solvent Manager, manufactured by Waters Corp. of Milford, MA.
- the pump head 12 includes an outlet port 20 , an inlet port 22 , and a fluidic chamber 24 , a bore opening 26 , and a recess 28 for receiving and aligning a housing 30 that is also secured to the support plate 18 .
- the fluidic chamber 24 within the pump head 12 is in fluidic communication with the outlet and inlet ports 20 , 22 for receiving and discharging fluids, respectively.
- the housing 30 provides a chamber within which to collect liquid and wash the plunger of any particulate that may form on the plunger surface. Seal assemblies, for example, low-pressure seal assembly 32 and high-pressure seal assembly 34 , operate to contain the liquid in the housing 30 .
- the actuator body 14 includes a motor 36 and a drive mechanism 38 mechanically linked to a plunger 40 .
- the plunger 40 extends through the bore opening 26 of the pump head 12 into the fluidic chamber 24 .
- the cooling mechanisms described herein can also be used actuators with rotary shafts, such as a shaft that rotates and turns a rotor fitted to a stator.
- the term “rod” is used herein to broadly encompass plungers, shafts, rods, and pistons, whether reciprocating or rotary.
- Reference numeral 42 corresponds to a compartment in the actuator body 14 that can be adapted to accommodate a cooling module for controlling the temperature of the pump head 12 , as illustrated in connection with FIG. 3 .
- FIG. 3 is a cross-section of the actuator 10 configured with one embodiment of an internal cooling module 50 for providing independent control of cooling the pump head 12 .
- the cooling module 50 includes a thermoelectric device 52 disposed between a cold-side plate 54 and a hot-side plate 56 .
- the thermoelectric device 52 is a Peltier device, which uses electrical power to produce a temperature difference between opposite sides of the device by operating as heat pumps that transfer heat from one side to the other. The temperature difference produced depends on several variables: material properties of the thermoelectric device 52 , the amount of heat being removed from the cold side, the average temperature of the chambers, and the drive current/voltage.
- the thermoelectric device has a center hole to accommodate the plunger 40 . Thermoelectric devices of other geometries can be employed, provided they do not interfere with the movement of the plunger.
- the cold-side plate 54 is in thermally conductive contact with the support plate 18 .
- the material of the support plate 18 is selected to enhance thermal conductivity.
- the hot-side plate 56 is in thermally conductive contact with the actuator body 14 .
- Other thermally conductive members, features, or components of the actuator, other than or in addition to the actuator body 14 can operate as a hot-side sink.
- the plates 54 , 56 also have a central hole to accommodate the plunger 40 . Electrodes (not shown) for controlling the operation of the thermoelectric chip 52 extend between the insulator 58 and hot-side plate 56 .
- the hot-side plate 56 is made of copper.
- An insulator 58 is disposed around the cold-side plate 54 and the thermoelectric chip 52 , to insulate them from the ambient environment and to minimize the thermal communication between the hot and cold surfaces.
- the hot-side plate 56 has an exterior surface 60 so that heat can radiate directly from the hot side plate 56 into the ambient environment.
- Fasteners 62 secure the cooling module 50 to the support plate 18 .
- the cold-side plate 54 draws heat from the pump head 12 and transfers the heat to the hot-side plate 56 .
- the heat transfers to the actuator body 14 , from which heat radiates, conducts or convects into the ambient environment.
- a heat sink, fan, and/or liquid cooling of the hot side can be used to cool the hot side.
- Temperature measurement for feedback control purposes can be made at one or more locations within the actuator.
- a temperature sensor is disposed on or near the cold-side plate 54 .
- FIG. 4 shows photographs of two different views of an actuator configured with an internal cooling module. Visible features of the cooling module are the hot-side plate 56 and the insulator 58 .
- FIG. 5 is a graph of test results produced by one embodiment of internal cooling module.
- the x-axis corresponds to the duty cycle at which the Peltier device 52 is operated.
- On the y-axis is the amount of heat removed (in Watts) from the pump head, the heat being transferred from the cold side plate to the hot side plate.
- Four plots appear on the graph, each representing one of four tested combinations of operating voltage of the Peltier device, which was either 10v or 12v, and the fan size, which was either small or large.
- the horizontal red line represents the preferred amount of heat to be removed.
- the four plots show that when the cooling module is operated at 100% duty cycle, the amount of heat removed provides a 20-50% margin with respect to the preferred amount of heat to be removed.
- a pre-chiller unit is disposed (e.g., bolted) between the support plate 18 and the cold-side plate 54 of the cooling module 50 .
- FIG. 6 is a cross-section of the actuator 10 configured with such a pre-chiller unit 70 .
- the pre-chiller unit 70 operates to chill the fluid before the fluid enters the fluidic chamber 24 .
- the pre-chiller unit 70 includes a pre-chiller body 72 that is in thermally conductive contact with the support plate 18 and the cold-side plate 54 .
- the pre-chiller body 72 is formed of a thermally conductive material (e.g., copper).
- the pre-chiller body 72 defines a though hole 74 which accommodates the plunger 40 .
- the length of the plunger 40 behind the low pressure seal assembly 32 (the proximal end portion 41 of the plunger 40 ) can be provided with an extended length.
- the pre-chiller unit 70 also includes fluidic tubing 76 that is disposed within a recess 77 in the pre-chiller body 70 and is in thermal communication with the pre-chiller body 70 .
- the fluidic tubing 76 is held in the recess 77 with thermal epoxy.
- thermal grease could be used in the recess 77 to establish thermal heat transfer between the pre-chiller body 70 and the fluidic tubing 76 .
- solder could be used to hold the fluidic tubing 76 within the recess 77 and establish thermal communication with the pre-chiller body 70 .
- Channels could be machined in the copper plate instead as well.
- the fluidic tubing 76 includes five (5) turns of 0.040 inner diameter stainless steel tube 78 which encircle the through hole 74 and define the fluid volume of the pre-chiller unit 70 .
- the fluid volume of the pre-chiller unit 70 is preferably larger than the fluid volume of the fluidic chamber 24 (that is, the volume available to receive fluid when the plunger 40 is at the end of its intake stroke), e.g., greater than about 140 ⁇ L.
- the pre-chiller unit 70 can have a fluid volume of about 400 ⁇ L and about 500 ⁇ L, e.g., about 426 ⁇ L.
- the fluid volume of the pre-chiller unit 70 can be about three times greater than the fluid volume of the fluidic chamber 24 .
- the fluidic tubing 76 includes an inlet 80 and outlet 82 that are connected to or integral with the tube 78 and which allow for external fluidic connection to be made.
- the cold-side plate 54 draws heat from the pre-chiller unit 70 and transfers it to the hot-side plate 56 . From the hot-side plate 56 , the heat transfers to the actuator body 14 , from which heat radiates, conducts, or convects into the ambient environment.
- the cooling of the pre-chiller unit 70 also has the effect of cooling the pump head 12 via the thermally conductive contact between the pump head 12 and the support plate 18 , and between the support plate 18 and the pre-chiller unit 70 .
- FIG. 7 illustrates a supercritical fluid chromatography system 100 which utilizes actuator 10 of FIG. 6 .
- the SFC system 100 includes a plurality of stackable modules including a solvent manager 110 ; an SFC manager 140 ; a sample manager 170 ; a column manager 180 ; and a detector module 190 .
- the solvent manager 110 is comprised of a first pump 112 which receives carbon dioxide (CO2) from CO2 source 102 (e.g., a tank containing compressed CO2).
- CO2 passes through an inlet shutoff valve 142 and a filter 144 in the SFC manager 140 on its way to the first pump 112 .
- the first pump 112 comprises an accumulator actuator 10 a and a primary actuator 10 b connected in series.
- the accumulator actuator 10 a delivers CO2 to the system 100 .
- the primary actuator 10 b refills the accumulator actuator 10 a and delivers CO2 to the system 100 while refilling the accumulator actuator 10 a.
- the accumulator actuator 10 a and the primary actuator 10 b each have the construction illustrated in FIG. 6 and are arranged to perform a multistep pre-chilling of the CO2.
- the CO2 travels from the SFC manager 140 and through a pre-chiller unit 70 a of the accumulator actuator 10 a.
- the accumulator actuator 10 a is controlled to a temperature of about 12° C. via its internal cooling module.
- the CO2 travels through a pre-chiller unit 70 b of the primary actuator 10 b.
- the primary actuator 10 b is controlled to a temperature of about 2° C. via its internal cooling module.
- the CO2 After passing through both of the pre-chiller units 70 a, 70 b at relatively low pressure (e.g., about 700 psi to about 1200 psi) the CO2 is passed through the fluidic chamber (see, e.g., item 24 in FIG. 6 ) of the primary actuator 10 b and then through the fluidic chamber of the accumulator actuator 10 a.
- relatively low pressure e.g., about 700 psi to about 1200 psi
- the CO2 might be in gas form when it passes through the pre-chiller unit 70 a of the accumulator actuator 10 a.
- the primary actuator 10 b is relied on to condense the CO2 to liquid. Having the fluid volume of the pre-chiller 70 b greater than the volume of the primary actuator's fluidic chamber (i.e., when its plunger reaches the end of its intake stroke) can help ensure that a sufficient volume of CO2 is available to enable the primary actuator 10 b to condense it to liquid before it passes through the pump head of the accumulator actuator 10 a.
- the accumulator actuator 10 a serves as a metering device which meters the flow of CO2 into the system 100 .
- the ability to control the temperature of the accumulator actuator 10 a can be particularly beneficial. More specifically, mass flow is dependent on temperature as well as pressure and volume flow rate. Thus, the ability to control temperature can allow for more accurate mass flow, which, in turn, can provide for more accurate chromatography.
- the solvent manager 110 also includes a second pump 114 , which can comprise a primary actuator 116 and an accumulator actuator 118 connected in series, for receiving an organic co-solvent (e.g., methanol, water (H2O), etc.) from an organic co-solvent source 104 .
- the accumulator actuator 118 delivers co-solvent to the system 100 .
- the primary actuator 116 delivers co-solvent to the system 100 while refilling the accumulator actuator 118 .
- Transducers are connected to outlet ports of the respective pump heads for monitoring pressure.
- the solvent manager 110 also includes electrical drives for driving the primary and accumulator actuators of the first and second pumps 112 , 114 .
- the CO2 and organic co-solvent fluid flows are mixed at a tee 120 forming a mobile phase fluid flow that continues to an injection valve subsystem 150 , which injects a sample plug for separation into the mobile phase fluid flow.
- the injection valve subsystem 150 is comprised of an auxiliary valve 152 that is disposed in the SFC manager 140 and an inject valve 154 that is disposed in the sample manager 170 .
- the auxiliary valve 152 and the inject valve 152 are fluidically connected and the operations of these two valves are coordinated to introduce a sample plug into the mobile phase fluid flow.
- the inject valve 154 is operable to draw up a sample plug from a sample source (e.g., a vial) in the sample manager 170 and the auxiliary valve 152 is operable to control the flow of mobile phase fluid into and out of the inject valve 154 .
- the SFC manager 140 also includes a valve actuator for actuating the auxiliary valve 152 and electrical drives for driving the valve actuations.
- the sample manager 170 includes a valve actuator for actuating the inject valve and 154 and electrical drives for driving the valve actuations.
- the mobile phase flow containing the injected sample plug continues through a separation column 182 in the column manager 180 , where the sample plug is separated into its individual component parts.
- the column manager 180 comprises a plurality of such separation columns, and inlet and outlet switching valves 184 , 186 for switching between the various separation columns.
- the mobile phase fluid flow continues on to a detector 192 (e.g., a flow cell/photodiode array type detector) housed within the detector module 190 then through a vent valve 146 and then on to a back pressure regulator 148 in the SFC manager 140 before being exhausted to waste 106 .
- a transducer 149 is provided between the vent valve 146 and the back pressure regulator 148 .
- the back pressure regulator 148 is adjustable to control or modify the system fluid pressure. This can allow the pressure to be changed from run to run.
- the properties of CO2 affect how quickly compounds are extracted from the separation column 182 , so the ability to change the pressure can allow for different separation based on pressure.
- the back pressure regulator 148 can be used to maintain the system pressure in the range of about 1500 psi to about 6000 psi.
- Each of the individual modules 110 , 140 , 170 , 180 , 190 also includes its own control electronics, which can interface with each other and with the system controller 108 via an Ethernet connection 109 .
- the control electronics for each module can include non-volatile memory with computer-readable instructions (firmware) for controlling operation of the respective module's components (e.g., the pumps, valves, etc.) in response to signals received from the system controller 108 or from the other modules.
- Each module's control electronics can also include at least one processor for executing the computer-readable instructions, receiving input, and sending output.
- the control electronics can also include one or more digital-to-analog (D/A) converters for converting digital output from one of the processors to an analog signal for actuating an associated one of the pumps or valves (e.g., via an associated pump or valve actuator).
- D/A digital-to-analog
- the control electronics can also include one or more analog-to-digital (A/D) converters for converting an analog signal, such as from system sensors (e.g., pressure transducers), to a digital signal for input to one of the processors.
- system sensors e.g., pressure transducers
- some or all of the various features of these control electronics can be integrated in a microcontroller.
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Abstract
An actuator has a support plate, a pump head in thermally conductive contact with the support plate, and an actuator body. Cooling means is disposed between the support plate and the actuator body. The cooling means is configured to remove and transfer heat from the pump head to the actuator body. In one embodiment, the cooling means includes two thermally conductive plates (called cold-side and hot-side plates) and a thermoelectric device disposed in thermally conductive contact between the cold-side and hot-side plates. The cold-side plate is in thermal communication with the pump head through the support plate. The hot-side plate is in thermal communication with the actuator body. The thermoelectric device is configured to transfer heat from the cold-side plate, which is in thermal communication with the pump head, to the hot-side plate, which is in thermal communication with the actuator body, thereby removing heat from the pump head.
Description
- This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/451,209, filed Mar. 10, 2011. The entire contents of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/451,209 are incorporated herein by reference.
- The invention relates generally to actuators. More specifically, the invention relates to systems and methods for cooling a pump head of an actuator.
- Supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) uses highly compressible mobile phases, which typically employ carbon dioxide (CO2) as a principle component. To ensure that the component remains liquid, the pump is chilled to a temperature below its critical temperature.
- In one aspect, the invention features an actuator with a support plate and a pump head secured to one side of the support plate. The pump head is in thermal contact with the support plate. An actuator body is secured to an opposite side of the support plate. Means for cooling is disposed between and in thermal communication with the support plate and the actuator body. The cooling means is configured to remove and transfer heat from the pump head to the actuator body.
- In another aspect, the invention features an actuator having a thermally conductive member with an exterior surface, a pump head having a chamber for channeling pressurized fluid, and means for cooling the pump head. The cooling means is in thermal communication with the pump head internally. The cooling means is configured to remove and transfer heat from the pump head to the thermally conductive member with the exterior surface.
- In still another aspect, the invention features a method for cooling a pump head of an actuator. The method comprises establishing thermally conductive contact between the pump head and a thermally conductive support plate, establishing thermally conductive contact between cooling means and the support plate, establishing thermally conductive contact between the cooling means and an actuator body, and electrically controlling the cooling means to remove and transfer heat from the pump head to the actuator body.
- In still yet another aspect, the invention features a method for cooling a pump head of an actuator. The method comprises establishing thermal communication between the pump head and cooling means internally within the actuator, establishing thermal communication between the cooling means and a thermally conductive member of the actuator having an exterior surface, and electrically controlling the cooling means to remove and transfer heat from the pump head to the thermally conductive member with the exterior surface.
- The above and further advantages of this invention may be better understood by referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals indicate like structural elements and features in various figures. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.
-
FIG. 1 is a cross-section diagrammatic view of an embodiment of an actuator that can configured with an internal cooling module for cooling a pump head. -
FIG. 2 is a closer view of the actuator. -
FIG. 3 is a cross-section of the actuator configured with one embodiment of an internal cooling module. -
FIG. 4 shows photographs of an actuator configured with an internal cooling module. -
FIG. 5 is a graph of test results produced by the internal cooling module. -
FIG. 6 is a cross-section of the actuator configured with one embodiment of a pre-chiller unit. -
FIG. 7 is a supercritical fluid chromatography system that utilizes an actuator as illustrated inFIG. 6 . - Cooling modules, described herein, for independently controlling the temperature of a pump head are installed internally within an actuator. In brief overview, such cooling modules remove heat from the pump head and transfers the heat to a member, feature, or component of the actuator with an exterior surface, preferably to the thermally conductive actuator body itself In one embodiment, the cooling module is comprised of a thermoelectric device sandwiched between two thermally conductive plates. One of the plates is in thermal communication with the pump head (e.g., through a support plate), the other of the plates is in thermal communication with the actuator feature.
- Advantageously, the cooling module can be invisible to the user; that is, for some embodiments, there are no new components in the customer-accessible areas of the actuator, the cooling module being disposed behind the support plate. From a maintenance point of view, no new procedures are needed to change pump head seals, as installation of a cooling module within the actuator requires no changes to the pump head components. Among these advantages, the solid state components used to produce the cooling module require no maintenance. The cooling module also improves the thermal stability of the pump head, improves control of density regardless of ambient temperature, and can achieve an accurate mass flow provided the pressure of the fluid is known.
-
FIG. 1 andFIG. 2 show an embodiment of anactuator 10 having apump head 12 and anactuator body 14. (FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of theactuator 10 in the vicinity of thepump head 12.) Thepump head 12 is secured at one end to apressure transducer 16 and at its other end to one side of asupport plate 18. Secured to the other side of thesupport plate 18 is theactuator body 14. In one embodiment, theactuator 10 is a part of a binary solvent manager (BSM), which uses two individual serial flow pumps to draw solvents from their reservoirs and deliver a solvent composition. An example implementation of a BSM is the ACQUITY Binary Solvent Manager, manufactured by Waters Corp. of Milford, MA. - The
pump head 12 includes anoutlet port 20, aninlet port 22, and afluidic chamber 24, a bore opening 26, and arecess 28 for receiving and aligning ahousing 30 that is also secured to thesupport plate 18. Thefluidic chamber 24 within thepump head 12 is in fluidic communication with the outlet andinlet ports housing 30 provides a chamber within which to collect liquid and wash the plunger of any particulate that may form on the plunger surface. Seal assemblies, for example, low-pressure seal assembly 32 and high-pressure seal assembly 34, operate to contain the liquid in thehousing 30. - The
actuator body 14 includes amotor 36 and adrive mechanism 38 mechanically linked to aplunger 40. Theplunger 40 extends through the bore opening 26 of thepump head 12 into thefluidic chamber 24. Although described in connection with reciprocating plungers, the cooling mechanisms described herein can also be used actuators with rotary shafts, such as a shaft that rotates and turns a rotor fitted to a stator. The term “rod” is used herein to broadly encompass plungers, shafts, rods, and pistons, whether reciprocating or rotary.Reference numeral 42 corresponds to a compartment in theactuator body 14 that can be adapted to accommodate a cooling module for controlling the temperature of thepump head 12, as illustrated in connection withFIG. 3 . -
FIG. 3 is a cross-section of theactuator 10 configured with one embodiment of aninternal cooling module 50 for providing independent control of cooling thepump head 12. Thecooling module 50 includes athermoelectric device 52 disposed between a cold-side plate 54 and a hot-side plate 56. In one embodiment, thethermoelectric device 52 is a Peltier device, which uses electrical power to produce a temperature difference between opposite sides of the device by operating as heat pumps that transfer heat from one side to the other. The temperature difference produced depends on several variables: material properties of thethermoelectric device 52, the amount of heat being removed from the cold side, the average temperature of the chambers, and the drive current/voltage. In this embodiment, the thermoelectric device has a center hole to accommodate theplunger 40. Thermoelectric devices of other geometries can be employed, provided they do not interfere with the movement of the plunger. - The cold-
side plate 54 is in thermally conductive contact with thesupport plate 18. The material of thesupport plate 18 is selected to enhance thermal conductivity. The hot-side plate 56 is in thermally conductive contact with theactuator body 14. Other thermally conductive members, features, or components of the actuator, other than or in addition to theactuator body 14, can operate as a hot-side sink. Theplates plunger 40. Electrodes (not shown) for controlling the operation of thethermoelectric chip 52 extend between theinsulator 58 and hot-side plate 56. In one embodiment, the hot-side plate 56 is made of copper. Aninsulator 58 is disposed around the cold-side plate 54 and thethermoelectric chip 52, to insulate them from the ambient environment and to minimize the thermal communication between the hot and cold surfaces. The hot-side plate 56 has anexterior surface 60 so that heat can radiate directly from thehot side plate 56 into the ambient environment.Fasteners 62 secure thecooling module 50 to thesupport plate 18. During operation of the cooling module, the cold-side plate 54 draws heat from thepump head 12 and transfers the heat to the hot-side plate 56. From the hot-side plate 56, the heat transfers to theactuator body 14, from which heat radiates, conducts or convects into the ambient environment. A heat sink, fan, and/or liquid cooling of the hot side can be used to cool the hot side. - Temperature measurement for feedback control purposes can be made at one or more locations within the actuator. In preferred embodiments, a temperature sensor is disposed on or near the cold-
side plate 54. -
FIG. 4 shows photographs of two different views of an actuator configured with an internal cooling module. Visible features of the cooling module are the hot-side plate 56 and theinsulator 58. -
FIG. 5 is a graph of test results produced by one embodiment of internal cooling module. The x-axis corresponds to the duty cycle at which thePeltier device 52 is operated. On the y-axis is the amount of heat removed (in Watts) from the pump head, the heat being transferred from the cold side plate to the hot side plate. Four plots appear on the graph, each representing one of four tested combinations of operating voltage of the Peltier device, which was either 10v or 12v, and the fan size, which was either small or large. The horizontal red line represents the preferred amount of heat to be removed. The four plots show that when the cooling module is operated at 100% duty cycle, the amount of heat removed provides a 20-50% margin with respect to the preferred amount of heat to be removed. - In another embodiment, a pre-chiller unit is disposed (e.g., bolted) between the
support plate 18 and the cold-side plate 54 of thecooling module 50.FIG. 6 is a cross-section of theactuator 10 configured with such apre-chiller unit 70. Thepre-chiller unit 70 operates to chill the fluid before the fluid enters thefluidic chamber 24. - The
pre-chiller unit 70 includes apre-chiller body 72 that is in thermally conductive contact with thesupport plate 18 and the cold-side plate 54. Thepre-chiller body 72 is formed of a thermally conductive material (e.g., copper). Thepre-chiller body 72 defines a though hole 74 which accommodates theplunger 40. - Increasing the number of components, by adding the
pre-chiller unit 70, between theactuator body 14 and thepump head 12 creates a worse tolerance stack up. To help overcome this, the length of theplunger 40 behind the low pressure seal assembly 32 (theproximal end portion 41 of the plunger 40) can be provided with an extended length. - The
pre-chiller unit 70 also includesfluidic tubing 76 that is disposed within a recess 77 in thepre-chiller body 70 and is in thermal communication with thepre-chiller body 70. Thefluidic tubing 76 is held in the recess 77 with thermal epoxy. Alternatively or additionally, thermal grease could be used in the recess 77 to establish thermal heat transfer between thepre-chiller body 70 and thefluidic tubing 76. Alternatively or additionally, solder could be used to hold thefluidic tubing 76 within the recess 77 and establish thermal communication with thepre-chiller body 70. Channels could be machined in the copper plate instead as well. Thefluidic tubing 76 includes five (5) turns of 0.040 inner diameterstainless steel tube 78 which encircle the through hole 74 and define the fluid volume of thepre-chiller unit 70. The fluid volume of thepre-chiller unit 70 is preferably larger than the fluid volume of the fluidic chamber 24 (that is, the volume available to receive fluid when theplunger 40 is at the end of its intake stroke), e.g., greater than about 140 μL. In this regard, thepre-chiller unit 70 can have a fluid volume of about 400 μL and about 500 μL, e.g., about 426 μL. The fluid volume of thepre-chiller unit 70 can be about three times greater than the fluid volume of thefluidic chamber 24. Thefluidic tubing 76 includes aninlet 80 andoutlet 82 that are connected to or integral with thetube 78 and which allow for external fluidic connection to be made. - During operation, the cold-
side plate 54 draws heat from thepre-chiller unit 70 and transfers it to the hot-side plate 56. From the hot-side plate 56, the heat transfers to theactuator body 14, from which heat radiates, conducts, or convects into the ambient environment. The cooling of thepre-chiller unit 70 also has the effect of cooling thepump head 12 via the thermally conductive contact between thepump head 12 and thesupport plate 18 , and between thesupport plate 18 and thepre-chiller unit 70. -
FIG. 7 illustrates a supercriticalfluid chromatography system 100 which utilizesactuator 10 ofFIG. 6 . TheSFC system 100 includes a plurality of stackable modules including asolvent manager 110; anSFC manager 140; asample manager 170; acolumn manager 180; and adetector module 190. - The
solvent manager 110 is comprised of afirst pump 112 which receives carbon dioxide (CO2) from CO2 source 102 (e.g., a tank containing compressed CO2). The CO2 passes through aninlet shutoff valve 142 and afilter 144 in theSFC manager 140 on its way to thefirst pump 112. Thefirst pump 112 comprises anaccumulator actuator 10 a and aprimary actuator 10 b connected in series. The accumulator actuator 10 a delivers CO2 to thesystem 100. Theprimary actuator 10 b refills theaccumulator actuator 10 a and delivers CO2 to thesystem 100 while refilling theaccumulator actuator 10 a. - The accumulator actuator 10 a and the
primary actuator 10 b each have the construction illustrated inFIG. 6 and are arranged to perform a multistep pre-chilling of the CO2. The CO2 travels from theSFC manager 140 and through apre-chiller unit 70 a of theaccumulator actuator 10 a. The accumulator actuator 10 a is controlled to a temperature of about 12° C. via its internal cooling module. After passing through thepre-chiller unit 70 a of theaccumulator actuator 10 a, the CO2 travels through apre-chiller unit 70 b of theprimary actuator 10 b. Theprimary actuator 10 b is controlled to a temperature of about 2° C. via its internal cooling module. - After passing through both of the
pre-chiller units item 24 inFIG. 6 ) of theprimary actuator 10 b and then through the fluidic chamber of theaccumulator actuator 10 a. - Since the
accumulator actuator 10 a is controlled to 12° C., the CO2 might be in gas form when it passes through thepre-chiller unit 70 a of theaccumulator actuator 10 a. To help ensure that the CO2 is delivered to thesystem 100 in liquid form, theprimary actuator 10 b is relied on to condense the CO2 to liquid. Having the fluid volume of the pre-chiller 70 b greater than the volume of the primary actuator's fluidic chamber (i.e., when its plunger reaches the end of its intake stroke) can help ensure that a sufficient volume of CO2 is available to enable theprimary actuator 10 b to condense it to liquid before it passes through the pump head of theaccumulator actuator 10 a. - The accumulator actuator 10 a serves as a metering device which meters the flow of CO2 into the
system 100. The ability to control the temperature of theaccumulator actuator 10 a (e.g., via its internal cooling module) can be particularly beneficial. More specifically, mass flow is dependent on temperature as well as pressure and volume flow rate. Thus, the ability to control temperature can allow for more accurate mass flow, which, in turn, can provide for more accurate chromatography. - In some cases, the
solvent manager 110 also includes a second pump 114, which can comprise aprimary actuator 116 and anaccumulator actuator 118 connected in series, for receiving an organic co-solvent (e.g., methanol, water (H2O), etc.) from an organicco-solvent source 104. Theaccumulator actuator 118 delivers co-solvent to thesystem 100. Theprimary actuator 116 delivers co-solvent to thesystem 100 while refilling theaccumulator actuator 118. Transducers are connected to outlet ports of the respective pump heads for monitoring pressure. Thesolvent manager 110 also includes electrical drives for driving the primary and accumulator actuators of the first andsecond pumps 112, 114. The CO2 and organic co-solvent fluid flows are mixed at atee 120 forming a mobile phase fluid flow that continues to aninjection valve subsystem 150, which injects a sample plug for separation into the mobile phase fluid flow. - In the illustrated example, the
injection valve subsystem 150 is comprised of an auxiliary valve 152 that is disposed in theSFC manager 140 and an injectvalve 154 that is disposed in thesample manager 170. The auxiliary valve 152 and the inject valve 152 are fluidically connected and the operations of these two valves are coordinated to introduce a sample plug into the mobile phase fluid flow. The injectvalve 154 is operable to draw up a sample plug from a sample source (e.g., a vial) in thesample manager 170 and the auxiliary valve 152 is operable to control the flow of mobile phase fluid into and out of the injectvalve 154. TheSFC manager 140 also includes a valve actuator for actuating the auxiliary valve 152 and electrical drives for driving the valve actuations. Similarly, thesample manager 170 includes a valve actuator for actuating the inject valve and 154 and electrical drives for driving the valve actuations. - From the
injection valve subsystem 150, the mobile phase flow containing the injected sample plug continues through aseparation column 182 in thecolumn manager 180, where the sample plug is separated into its individual component parts. Thecolumn manager 180 comprises a plurality of such separation columns, and inlet andoutlet switching valves 184, 186 for switching between the various separation columns. - After passing through the
separation column 182, the mobile phase fluid flow continues on to a detector 192 (e.g., a flow cell/photodiode array type detector) housed within thedetector module 190 then through a vent valve 146 and then on to aback pressure regulator 148 in theSFC manager 140 before being exhausted towaste 106. Atransducer 149 is provided between the vent valve 146 and theback pressure regulator 148. - The
back pressure regulator 148 is adjustable to control or modify the system fluid pressure. This can allow the pressure to be changed from run to run. The properties of CO2 affect how quickly compounds are extracted from theseparation column 182, so the ability to change the pressure can allow for different separation based on pressure. Generally, theback pressure regulator 148 can be used to maintain the system pressure in the range of about 1500 psi to about 6000 psi. - Also shown schematically in
FIG. 7 is acomputerized system controller 108 that can assist in coordinating operation of theSFC system 100. Each of theindividual modules system controller 108 via anEthernet connection 109. The control electronics for each module can include non-volatile memory with computer-readable instructions (firmware) for controlling operation of the respective module's components (e.g., the pumps, valves, etc.) in response to signals received from thesystem controller 108 or from the other modules. Each module's control electronics can also include at least one processor for executing the computer-readable instructions, receiving input, and sending output. The control electronics can also include one or more digital-to-analog (D/A) converters for converting digital output from one of the processors to an analog signal for actuating an associated one of the pumps or valves (e.g., via an associated pump or valve actuator). The control electronics can also include one or more analog-to-digital (A/D) converters for converting an analog signal, such as from system sensors (e.g., pressure transducers), to a digital signal for input to one of the processors. In some cases, some or all of the various features of these control electronics can be integrated in a microcontroller. - While an embodiment has been described in which a pre-chiller is utilized to chill fluid before the fluid enters the fluidic chamber of a pump head, another embodiment can use a pre-chiller unit to chill the fluid after the fluid leaves the pump head.
- While the invention has been shown and described with reference to specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. For example, although described herein primarily with respect to reciprocating plunger applications, the various embodiments of cooling systems can also be used in rotary applications. Moreover, other heat removal means can be used in conjunction with the cooling module described herein in order to remove larger loads, if necessary. In addition, although described with respect to SFC applications, the principles can be implemented in actuators used in any other type of application for which temperature control of the pump head is desired. For instance, temperature control of the pump head may produce more repeatable and accurate results for other types of liquid chromatography applications, such as HPLC and UPLC, regardless of the ambient temperature.
Claims (47)
1. An actuator comprising:
a support plate;
a pump head secured to one side of the support plate, the pump head being in thermal contact with the support plate;
an actuator body secured to an opposite side of the support plate; and
means for cooling disposed between and in thermal communication with the support plate and the actuator body, the cooling means being configured to remove and transfer heat from the pump head to the actuator body.
2. The actuator of claim 1 , further comprising a pre-chiller unit disposed between the support plate and the cooling means.
3. The actuator of claim 1 , wherein the cooling means comprises:
a pair of thermally conductive plates, one of the plates being in thermal communication with the pump head through the support plate, the other of the plates being in thermal communication with the actuator body; and
a thermoelectric device between and in thermally conductive contact with the pair of plates, the thermoelectric device being configured to transfer heat from the plate that is in thermal communication with the pump head to the other plate that is thermal communication with the actuator body, thereby removing heat from the pump head.
4. The actuator of claim 3 , wherein the plate from which heat is transferred is in thermally conductive communication with the support plate.
5. The actuator of claim 3 , further comprising insulation around the plate from which heat is transferred.
6. The actuator of claim 3 , wherein the plate to which heat is transferred is in thermally conductive communication with the actuator body.
7. The actuator of claim 3 , wherein the plate to which heat is transferred has an exterior surface.
8. The actuator of claim 3 , wherein the thermoelectric device is disposed internally within the actuator.
9. The actuator of claim 3 , further comprising a plunger, and wherein the thermoelectric device has a hole through which the plunger extends into the pump head.
10. The actuator of claim 1 , further comprising a plunger, and wherein the cooling means comprises:
a pair of thermally conductive plates, one of the plates being in thermal communication with the pump head through the support plate, the other of the plates being in thermal communication with the actuator body; and
a plurality of thermoelectric devices between and in thermal contact with the pair of plates, the plurality of thermoelectric devices being arranged around a center hole through which the plunger extends into the pump head, each thermoelectric device being configured to transfer heat from the plate that is in thermal communication with the pump head to the other plate that is thermal communication with the actuator body, thereby removing heat from the pump head.
11. The actuator of claim 1 , further comprising a temperature sensor in thermal communication with the plate from which heat is transferred.
12. The actuator of claim 1 , wherein the cooling means is configured to conduct heat from only a single pump head.
13. The actuator of claim 1 , further comprising a chamber separated from the cooling mechanism by the support plate, the chamber having a drain to channel any fluidic leakage out of the actuator.
14. An actuator comprising:
a thermally conductive member having an exterior surface;
a pump head having a chamber for channeling pressurized fluid; and
means for cooling the pump head, the cooling means being in thermal communication with the pump head internally within the actuator, the cooling means being configured to remove and transfer heat from the pump head to the thermally conductive member with the exterior surface.
15. The actuator of claim 14 , wherein the thermally conductive member is a pressure transducer coupled to the pump head.
16. The actuator of claim 14 , wherein the thermally conductive member is an actuator body.
17. A method for cooling a pump head of an actuator, the method comprising:
establishing thermally conductive contact between the pump head and a thermally conductive support plate;
establishing thermally conductive contact between cooling means and the support plate;
establishing thermally conductive contact between the cooling means and an actuator body; and
electrically controlling the cooling means to remove and transfer heat from the pump head to the actuator body.
18. A method for cooling a pump head of an actuator, the method comprising:
establishing thermal communication between the pump head and a cooling means internally within the actuator;
establishing thermal communication between the cooling means and a thermally conductive member of the actuator having an exterior surface; and
electrically controlling the cooling means to remove and transfer heat from the pump head to the thermally conductive member with the exterior surface.
19. An actuator comprising:
a support plate;
a pump head secured to one side of the support plate, the pump head being in thermal contact with the support plate;
an actuator body secured to an opposite side of the support plate; and
a pre-chiller unit in thermal communication with the support plate, for cooling a fluid flow before it enters the pump head.
20. The actuator of claim 19 , wherein the pre-chiller unit is disposed between the support plate and the actuator body.
21. The actuator of claim 20 ,
wherein the pump head comprises an outlet port, an inlet port, a fluidic chamber extending between the outlet and inlet ports, and a bore opening,
wherein the actuator further comprises a plunger which extends through the bore opening of the pump head into the fluidic chamber, the plunger being displaceable between a first, delivery end of stroke position and a second, intake end of stroke position, and
wherein a fluid volume of the fluidic tubing is greater than a fluidic volume of the fluidic chamber when the plunger is in the intake end of stroke position.
22. The actuator of claim 21 , wherein the fluid volume of the fluidic tubing is at least two times greater than the fluidic volume of the fluidic chamber when the plunger is in the intake end of stroke position.
23. The actuator of claim 21 , wherein a fluid volume of the fluidic tubing is at least three times greater than a fluidic volume of the fluidic chamber when the plunger is in the intake end of stroke position.
24. The actuator of claim 19 , wherein the pre-chiller unit comprises
a pre-chiller body; and
fluidic tubing in thermal communication with the pre-chiller body.
25. The actuator of claim 24 , wherein the pre-chiller body defines a recess, and wherein the fluidic tubing is disposed within the recess.
26. The actuator of claim 24 , wherein the pre-chiller unit comprises:
a copper pre-chiller body; and
stainless steel fluidic tubing in thermal communication with the pre-chiller body.
27. The actuator of claim 19 , further comprising a cooling module arranged to cool the pre-chiller unit, wherein the pre-chiller unit is disposed between and in thermal communication with the support plate and the cooling module.
28. The actuator of claim 27 , wherein the cooling module comprises:
a pair of thermally conductive plates, one of the plates being in thermal communication with the pre-chiller unit, the other of the plates being in thermal communication with the actuator body; and
a thermoelectric device between and in thermally conductive contact with the pair of plates, the thermoelectric device being configured to transfer heat from the plate that is in thermal communication with the pre-chiller unit to the other plate that is thermal communication with the actuator body.
29. The actuator of claim 27 , wherein the cooling module is configured to cool the pump head via thermally conductive communication between the cooling module, the pre-chiller unit, the support plate, and the pump head.
30. An actuator comprising:
a pump head having a chamber for channeling pressurized fluid; and
a pre-chiller unit for cooling a fluid flow before it enters the chamber,
wherein a fluidic volume of the pre-chiller is greater than a fluidic volume of the chamber.
31. The actuator of claim 30 , wherein the fluidic volume of the pre-chiller is at least two time greater than the fluidic volume of the chamber.
32. The actuator of claim 30 , wherein the fluidic volume of the pre-chiller is at least three times greater than the fluidic volume of the chamber.
33. A supercritical fluid chromatography system comprising:
a pump for delivering a flow of CO2 toward a separation column, the pump comprising:
a first actuator comprising:
a first pump head; and
a first pre-chiller unit for cooling a flow of CO2 before it passes through the first pump head; and
a second actuator comprising:
a second pump head, and
a second pre-chiller unit in fluid communication with the first pre-chiller for cooling a flow of CO2 after it passes through the first pre-chiller and before it passes through the second pump head.
34. The chromatography system of claim 33 , wherein the first actuator further comprises
a first support plate in thermal communication with the first pre-chiller; and
a first actuator body secured to one side of the first support plate, the first pump head being secured to an opposite side of the first support plate.
35. The chromatography system of claim 34 , wherein the first pre-chiller unit is disposed between the first support plate and the first actuator body.
36. The chromatography system of claim 34 , wherein the second actuator further comprises:
a second support plate in thermal communication with the second pre-chiller; and
a second actuator body secured to one side of the second support plate, the second pump head being secured to an opposite side of the second support plate.
37. The chromatography system of claim 36 , wherein the second pre-chiller unit is disposed between the second support plate and the second actuator body.
38. The chromatography system of claim 33 , wherein the first and second actuators are fluidically connected in series such that a fluid flow passes through the first pre-chiller, then through the second pre-chiller, then though the second pump head, and then through the first pump head.
39. The chromatography system of claim 33 , further comprising:
a separation column for receiving a flow of CO2 from the pump.
40. A method comprising:
passing a flow of CO2 through a first actuator maintained at a first temperature and thereby cooling the flow of CO2,
passing the flow of CO2 through a second actuator maintained at a second temperature that is less than the first temperature, and thereby further cooling the flow of CO2; and then pumping the flow of CO2 toward a separation column with the first and second actuators.
41. The method of claim 40 ,
wherein the first actuator comprises a first pre-chiller unit and the second actuator comprises a second pre-chiller unit,
wherein passing the flow of CO2 through the first actuator comprises passing the flow of CO2 through the first pre-chiller unit, and
wherein passing the flow of CO2 through the second actuator comprises passing the flow of CO2 through the second pre-chiller unit.
42. The method of claim 40 , wherein pumping the flow of CO2 toward the separation column comprises:
passing the flow of CO2 through a pump head of the second actuator; and then
passing the flow of CO2 through a pump head of the first actuator.
43. A method comprising:
passing a flow of CO2 through a first pre-chiller unit and thereby cooling the flow of CO2 to a first temperature,
passing the flow of CO2 through a second pre-chiller unit and thereby further cooling the flow of CO2 to a second temperature that is less than the first temperature; and then
delivering the flow of CO2 toward a separation column using a pump.
44. The method of claim 43 , wherein the pump comprises:
I.) a first actuator comprising:
A.) a first pump head; and
B.) the first pre-chiller; and
II.) a second actuator comprising:
A.) a second pump head; and
B.) the second pre-chiller, and
wherein delivering the flow of CO2 toward the separation column comprises:
passing the flow of CO2 through the second pump head, and then
passing the flow of CO2 through the first pump head.
45. A method comprising:
using a metering device to deliver CO2 toward a separation column; and
controlling the temperature of the metering device to provide accurate mass flow.
46. The method of claim 45 ,
wherein the metering device comprises a cooling module, and
wherein controlling the temperature of the metering device comprises electrically controlling the cooling module to remove heat from a pump head of the metering device.
47. The method of claim 45 , further comprising introducing a sample plug into a flow of the CO2 between the metering device and the separation column.
Priority Applications (1)
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US14/002,035 US9492764B2 (en) | 2011-03-10 | 2012-03-08 | System and method of cooling a pump head used in chromatography |
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PCT/US2012/028246 WO2012122361A2 (en) | 2011-03-10 | 2012-03-08 | System and method of cooling a pump head used in chromatography |
US14/002,035 US9492764B2 (en) | 2011-03-10 | 2012-03-08 | System and method of cooling a pump head used in chromatography |
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US9492764B2 US9492764B2 (en) | 2016-11-15 |
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WO2019164918A1 (en) * | 2018-02-26 | 2019-08-29 | Valco Instruments Company, L.P. | Pump for liquid chromatography with pressure sensor |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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US9492764B2 (en) | 2016-11-15 |
EP2683405A2 (en) | 2014-01-15 |
JP2014517179A (en) | 2014-07-17 |
EP2683405A4 (en) | 2015-12-09 |
WO2012122361A3 (en) | 2014-04-17 |
EP2683405B1 (en) | 2020-10-14 |
JP6021828B2 (en) | 2016-11-09 |
WO2012122361A2 (en) | 2012-09-13 |
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